Holy SHIT. you are good with fire FX. and not sure if it was deliberate, but the fire-loom makes her pallor look that much less-so, but the ‘fire in her eyes’ *shiver*
Poor guy can’t get a break. I know he’s a “bad guy” and we still don’t know the history between these two, but I’m starting to feel bad for him. Guy can’t even take a bath.
There’s something about your posing sometimes that misses the mark. Your characters will be performing an action but it’ll seem stiff or static, like they’re mannequins. Your anatomy could use some work too, and I say this all as someone who is constantly impressed with your work.
I believe her character’s anatomy is what is considered a style, sir, as it is consistent throughout the comic (and as also consistently awesome)…human anatomy doesn’t have to be 100% accurate in order to create beautiful characters with, well, character, as any fan of manga (does anyone in rl have bodies like that?), webcomics, or art in general should know. Nothing wrong with the poses, either, other than what I consider screencaptures or pauses for dramatic effect, which is fine, IMO.
Not to lambast you, but there is such a thing as tact when critiquing an artist’s work, especially one so highly talented as Erin.
It a carefully guarded secret that the universes most powerful magic can only be tapped by using advanced ballet. You don’t think it was accidental the Japanese Magical Girls perform move not far from ballet just before they unleash enough power to level a city block, did you?
Hm. I saw it as a man reaching up to get more power, or to spread it onto the bridge. Which is what happened.
And there’s always the art rule: an artist can change whatever they like whenever it makes the piece more beautiful, or dramatic… It’s actually called “the artist’s license” ?
And yes, my own art has been severely critiqued before… As well as too softly as if someone was worried about my feelings. And I’m small time and certainly not a web artist. I’m sure our Squidbunny has full experience of such events. (I thought she handled the comment with grace.)
I’m surprised that you don’t think my criticism wasn’t tactful and I wonder if you’ve ever taken part in an artistic critique before. Artists who care more about their work than their ego appreciate criticism to be clearly stated, and I handled mine as any critic should – pointing out areas which need improvement while contextualizing it in the overall picture, which was that I love her work.
We’ll agree to disagree about the anatomy and posing, but I have to point out that there’s a difference between exaggerated anatomy and bad anatomy. Hers isn’t bad, but the inaccuracies that I would point out wouldn’t be intentional to fit a style, but would be considered mistakes from lack of experience. For example, a character’s head may be too small in an instance, or an arm may be bending in an unusual way. There aren’t such major problems like that here, but I do get the sense that she hasn’t spent enough time practicing still life with human models.
Hunter’s triceps are a little off in the first two panels. They look all bunched up like he’s flexing them, when he’s really only flexing them in the second panel. And that’s a hard angle in which to draw arms, let alone color (underlighted!) correctly.
I noticed only because I’ve made the same mistake myself many, many times.
Just got through the archive and this is freaking amazing. You do fabulous artwork and I can’t help but wonder what the hell is going on. Will certainly be making this one of my regular webcomics. Keep up the awesome work!
uh did the front sight fly off when she shot that last shot? Its there when the fire is in her eyes but disappears after that. No wonder she can’t hit anything if the front sight is abandoning her. I jest I really do. I can’t wait to read this comic every Monday morning. But it bothers me that the sight is not there.
I’m having doubts anybody in this comic has any real experience with guns, but it’s a cool story anyway. Mind you, I can count the number of bullets I’ve fired on my fingers, so I’m a long way from an expert and yet, well, Damn good art and story telling! Keep up the good work!
What you think is the sight in panel 4 is actually part of the firing mechanism. If you look closely it’ll become clear that that bit there isn’t attached to the barrel but to the back of the gun.
Hellova strip, I’d wanna say how much i like it , but I’m too old to gush, wanna comment on the artwork but it’s fine there too, so I guess I’m just glued to a story that starts in the middle (ARRG ) with nothing to talk about. I suppose the only thing to crab about is that there’s only one monday to a week……
I am seriously thinking of grub or goldstaker status for when the story goes into hiatus. Wonderful art and story. I try to pay attention to all the tiny details in the art.
Finally a steam punk magic western comic! (Although having written this I’m now going to be bombarded with other examples) but I have to wonder, if there are fire mancers in this world, are there other ‘magics’ like water or earth?
Holy SHIT. you are good with fire FX.
and not sure if it was deliberate, but the fire-loom makes her pallor look that much less-so, but the ‘fire in her eyes’ *shiver*
Thank you kindly!
Poor guy can’t get a break. I know he’s a “bad guy” and we still don’t know the history between these two, but I’m starting to feel bad for him. Guy can’t even take a bath.
Awsome depth and contrast in this one.
There’s something about your posing sometimes that misses the mark. Your characters will be performing an action but it’ll seem stiff or static, like they’re mannequins. Your anatomy could use some work too, and I say this all as someone who is constantly impressed with your work.
I believe her character’s anatomy is what is considered a style, sir, as it is consistent throughout the comic (and as also consistently awesome)…human anatomy doesn’t have to be 100% accurate in order to create beautiful characters with, well, character, as any fan of manga (does anyone in rl have bodies like that?), webcomics, or art in general should know.
Nothing wrong with the poses, either, other than what I consider screencaptures or pauses for dramatic effect, which is fine, IMO.
Not to lambast you, but there is such a thing as tact when critiquing an artist’s work, especially one so highly talented as Erin.
(Thanks for the crits and the stalwart defense. 🙂 )
I thought everything was great except the pose in panel 2. Hunter looks like he’s performing in a ballet
It a carefully guarded secret that the universes most powerful magic can only be tapped by using advanced ballet. You don’t think it was accidental the Japanese Magical Girls perform move not far from ballet just before they unleash enough power to level a city block, did you?
Hm. I saw it as a man reaching up to get more power, or to spread it onto the bridge. Which is what happened.
And there’s always the art rule: an artist can change whatever they like whenever it makes the piece more beautiful, or dramatic… It’s actually called “the artist’s license” ?
And yes, my own art has been severely critiqued before… As well as too softly as if someone was worried about my feelings. And I’m small time and certainly not a web artist. I’m sure our Squidbunny has full experience of such events. (I thought she handled the comment with grace.)
Both times ?
I’m surprised that you don’t think my criticism wasn’t tactful and I wonder if you’ve ever taken part in an artistic critique before. Artists who care more about their work than their ego appreciate criticism to be clearly stated, and I handled mine as any critic should – pointing out areas which need improvement while contextualizing it in the overall picture, which was that I love her work.
We’ll agree to disagree about the anatomy and posing, but I have to point out that there’s a difference between exaggerated anatomy and bad anatomy. Hers isn’t bad, but the inaccuracies that I would point out wouldn’t be intentional to fit a style, but would be considered mistakes from lack of experience. For example, a character’s head may be too small in an instance, or an arm may be bending in an unusual way. There aren’t such major problems like that here, but I do get the sense that she hasn’t spent enough time practicing still life with human models.
“don’t think my criticism WAS tactful”, rather.
Well regardless, I didn’t take offense. Everyone has room for improvement and I could certainly do with more live figure drawing.
Unfortunately it’s not super feasible for me to get in on any sessions/classes currently. 🙁
If I may:
Hunter’s triceps are a little off in the first two panels. They look all bunched up like he’s flexing them, when he’s really only flexing them in the second panel. And that’s a hard angle in which to draw arms, let alone color (underlighted!) correctly.
I noticed only because I’ve made the same mistake myself many, many times.
All in all, the art on this comic is top notch.
The placement of the A in the KRACK is an excellent touch!
It also just occurred to me that if Hunter weren’t so adept with his magic, he might have singed off his body hair a long time ago. 😛
this kicks ass, i09 sent me
Thank you so much!
i09 sent me too, my only complaint? Finished it all and want moar 0_o
Great stuff, keep it up! *bookmarked ftw*
Another one here via io9, and again, my only complaint is that I’ve run out of archives.
Wonderful stuff, from start to now. I look forward to the rest of the story!
Just got through the archive and this is freaking amazing. You do fabulous artwork and I can’t help but wonder what the hell is going on. Will certainly be making this one of my regular webcomics. Keep up the awesome work!
BUT DID SHE HIT HIM
She can’t hit a stationary target at point blank range.
Unfortunate but true.
Unfortunate, but true.
Io9 also sent me here. Read the whole thing, awesome work. Two things:
1) I really like the dialogue. It fits the setting so well that I don’t even notice it, which is a big plus for immersion.
2) The paneling is GREAT! The card-shapes during the card game, for example, just adds an extra spin to things that I very much like.
3) (As a bonus) When the horse was “summoned” in the panel just before this, apparently he summoned a vest too? XD
Re: #3…. er… he had it in his hand in every prior panel.
Son of a gun! I looked for it in the first panel, and the actual summoning one, where its sorta obscured both times. Ha!
Its nice to see the artist interacting heavily in the comments, by the way. Good stuff.
Excellent POV shots 🙂 and as stated by others , your flame effects are superb
uh did the front sight fly off when she shot that last shot? Its there when the fire is in her eyes but disappears after that. No wonder she can’t hit anything if the front sight is abandoning her. I jest I really do. I can’t wait to read this comic every Monday morning. But it bothers me that the sight is not there.
This gun never had one — Vane’s oversight for once, not mine! 😀
I’m having doubts anybody in this comic has any real experience with guns, but it’s a cool story anyway. Mind you, I can count the number of bullets I’ve fired on my fingers, so I’m a long way from an expert and yet, well, Damn good art and story telling! Keep up the good work!
What you think is the sight in panel 4 is actually part of the firing mechanism. If you look closely it’ll become clear that that bit there isn’t attached to the barrel but to the back of the gun.
Hellova strip,
I’d wanna say how much i like it , but I’m too old to gush,
wanna comment on the artwork but it’s fine there too, so I guess I’m just glued to a story that starts in the middle (ARRG ) with nothing to talk about.
I suppose the only thing to crab about is that there’s only one monday to a week……
I am seriously thinking of grub or goldstaker status for when the story goes into hiatus. Wonderful art and story. I try to pay attention to all the tiny details in the art.
Finally a steam punk magic western comic! (Although having written this I’m now going to be bombarded with other examples) but I have to wonder, if there are fire mancers in this world, are there other ‘magics’ like water or earth?